Natural gas pipeline open house details Sandwich segment

Wednesday

Jun 19, 2013 at 12:01 AMJun 19, 2013 at 7:10 PM

National Grid hosted two Open Houses Tuesday afternoon and evening at the Town Hall Auditorium, explaining its Sagamore Line Reinforcement Project and plans to install a high-pressure natural gas pipeline in the Service Road’s north shoulder.

National Grid hosted two Open Houses Tuesday afternoon and evening at the Town Hall Auditorium, explaining its Sagamore Line Reinforcement Project and plans to install a high-pressure natural gas pipeline in the Service Road’s north shoulder.

The late-afternoon session was not well attended, but it was typical of what the company tries to do to inform the public about its projects, said Peter Nagle, National Grid’s community and customer manager.

The company and opponents of the pipeline proposal are preparing for a June 26 session before the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board.

The hearing is narrow in scope. The agency will consider the National Grid request to shift the proposed pipeline location from beneath the Service Road to the roadway’s north shoulder.

The hearing will be held at the Sandwich High School Auditorium off Quaker MeetingHouse Road.

State Rep. Randy Hunt, R-Sandwich, will represent townspeople and others who signed a petition of opposition to the Service Road route. And Selectman John Kennan likely will also address the EFSB.

National Grid’s pipeline project is designed to meet customer demand and hook up to a main in Yarmouth and Dennis. The Sandwich segment will measure 4.1 miles from Route 130 to Chase Road.

Residents of developments along the Service Road say the pipeline is a disaster waiting to happen in their neighborhoods; where more often than not there is only one way in and one way out – via the Service Road.

National Grid also awaits a street opening permit from the Town of Sandwich and access permits from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The route has been approved by the Cape Cod Commission after three hearings.

The location has galvanized opponents who say National Grid instead should pursue access easements along the electric high-tension line that cuts through town.